MALINGA's SECRET

Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga is better known in cricketing circles for claiming four wickets from consecutive deliveries against South Africa in the recently concluded World Cup in West Indies. However, now he has a rather unique achievement off the field too. He's been voted among the 'Sexiest Men in Cricket' for his blonde-streaked hair, pierced eyebrow and tattooed arms, in a poll conducted by a magazine.

However, the so-called sexy icon got his new hairdo rather unexpectedly. Earlier this year in February, when the Lankans played a four-match ODI series in India, Malinga had indicated about his then new blonde hairdo. "I didn't plan this," Malinga said pointing to his golden locks, ahead of the third ODI against India in Margao, Goa on February 14.

"I have this friend back home, who has a saloon. And I just walked into his shop and told him to do something different," he added. When asked if apna Mahendra Singh Dhoni's goldilocks were his inspiration, the Lankan replied in the negative. And while Dhoni's golden mane took a good two hours or so to finish, Malinga's was rather short and sweet. "It took only about an hour," said Malinga.

Why he got the vote:

Malinga was chosen among the 'Sexiest Men in Cricket' over Daniel Vettori (NZ), Shaun Tait (Aus), Chris Gayle (WI), Brian Lara (WI), Kevin Pietersen (Eng), Andrew Flintoff (Eng) and Makhaya Ntini (SA) by Easy Magazine of the Barbados Sunday Sun newspaper. "With his eye-catching, blonde-streaked curly hairdo, eyebrow ring and tattooed biceps, the unique 23-year-old strikes 'easy' as the type who'd be up for "anything, anywhere."